Filmmaker Handbook.
Everything you need to know about distributing your film on kinoora. From master file specifications to understanding your audience analytics.
Technical Specs & Upload Guidelines
At kinoora, we built our playback engine to respect the visual fidelity of your work. We don't over-compress your shadows or crush your color grade. To ensure your film looks exactly as you intended on everything from a mobile phone to a 4K living room TV, please follow these upload specifications.
🎯 Quick Start: Recommended Master Settings
If you just want the absolute best, most reliable export settings for kinoora, use this setup:
- Container: MP4 (or MOV)
- Video Codec: H.264 or H.265 (HEVC).
⚠️ Important: If you choose H.265, please read the 🚀 PRO TIP at the bottom of this page regarding Frame Reordering to avoid audio sync issues. - Audio Codec: AAC (320 kbps for Stereo)
- Resolution: The highest resolution you have available, up to 4K (3840 x 2160). We strongly recommend at least 1080p.
- Target Video Bitrate: 30–40 Mbps for H.264, or 20–30 Mbps for H.265 (HEVC).
1. Video Master Files
We support major industry-standard formats and modern high-efficiency codecs to ensure maximum quality.
- Supported Containers: MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, and more. (Note: We strongly recommend MP4 or MOV for the most reliable audio and metadata processing).
- Supported Codecs: H.264, H.265 (HEVC), AV1, VP9, and more.
- Formats to Avoid (ProRes & DCPs):
- No ProRes: Please avoid uploading Apple ProRes files. While our system can technically process them, ProRes is an intermediate editing codec. Its massive file size can lead to laggy playback and buffering for viewers on lower bandwidth connections.
- No DCPs: We do not support Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs). A DCP is a complex folder of uncompressed image sequences and audio files designed for theatrical projection. You must upload a flattened digital master file (like an MP4 or MOV) for streaming.
- Resolution: We strongly prefer a master file of at least 1080p (we do accept lower resolutions, but a high-quality master ensures the best possible viewing experience). We support up to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) and will automatically generate 1080p, 720p, and adaptive mobile bitrates from your master file.
- Bitrate: We recommend a target bitrate between 20 Mbps and 40 Mbps. Because H.265 is more efficient, it requires a lower bitrate (20-30 Mbps) than H.264 (30-40 Mbps) to achieve the exact same cinematic quality. Variable Bitrate (VBR) encoding is highly recommended over Constant Bitrate (CBR).
- Frame Rate: Native frame rates are preserved (23.98fps, 24fps, 25fps, 29.97fps, etc.). Do not apply pulldown.
- Color Space: Rec.709 is standard. We also support HDR10 for capable devices.
2. Audio Tracks & Surround Sound
- The Master File (Stereo 2.0): We highly recommend uploading your main master video file with a standard Stereo (2.0) audio mix. Since the vast majority of viewers watch on laptops, phones, or standard TVs, this ensures they get the best possible, intentionally mixed stereo experience without downmixing errors.
- Alternate Tracks (5.1 Surround & Dubs): You can upload your 5.1 Surround Sound mix as an alternate audio track. This allows home theater users to select the cinematic surround experience without compromising the default stereo mix. You can also upload localized Dubbing tracks or a Director’s Commentary.
- Supported Formats: For the fastest processing and web compatibility, AAC is highly recommended. We also fully support lossless uncompressed formats like WAV and FLAC for pristine surround uploads, as well as AIFF, MP3, Opus, and OGG Vorbis.
3. The Cinematic Trailer
Your trailer is your first impression in the Discovery Feed.
- Format (Horizontal Only): Trailers must be in a horizontal (landscape) format. We do not accept vertical trailers (like 9:16). While we accept various widescreen aspect ratios, we highly recommend exporting in exactly 16:9 for the absolute best presentation and maximum screen real estate in the feed.
- No Hardcoded Black Bars: Please export your trailer at its native aspect ratio without rendering black bars (letterboxing) at the top and bottom to make it look "cinematic." Hardcoded black bars prevent our video player from dynamically scaling your footage to fit different screens natively.
- Length: We recommend a trailer length of 60 to 120 seconds for maximum engagement, though it is possible to upload a trailer up to a maximum of 150 seconds.
- Audio: Ensure vocals are mixed clearly, as many users browse the feed on mobile devices.
4. Subtitles & Localization
Accessibility and global reach are built into the platform.
- Custom Subtitle Uploads: We natively support
.srtand.vttsubtitle files. You can upload as many localized language files as you have available. Note: Custom subtitle files can be attached to both your main films/episodes and your cinematic trailers. - Dubbing (Alternate Audio): In addition to text translation, you can upload localized audio dubbing tracks directly during the upload process. Viewers can manually switch between these languages in the player to make your film accessible globally.
- AI Auto-Generation: Don't have subtitles? kinoora's system can automatically generate closed captions in the film's original language using AI. These generated files are attached directly to your uploaded video, allowing viewers to manually toggle them on or off. We support most European languages, with the highest accuracy (95%+) for English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Other supported languages generally score around 90%+ accuracy. Currently, our system only supports "single language" subtitle generation. If your story has been shot in different languages, the system will not be able to detect both. You can select the main language of the film but all scenes in other languages will be transcribed unsuccessfully.
(Disclaimer: While highly advanced, AI transcription is not always 100% accurate, so uploading your own custom files is always recommended for perfect precision).
5. Artwork & Assets
To make your film look beautiful across the platform, you will need to provide high-quality artwork. Why do we need two different formats? They serve different roles: The vertical poster is used for classic grid layouts, search results, and user watchlists. The horizontal still is used for the main cinematic film overview page, "Continue Watching" rows, and wide banners.
- The Main Poster (Vertical): 2:3 aspect ratio (Standard Movie Poster). Recommended Minimum: 1000x1500 pixels. Maximum: 2000x3000 pixels.
- The Hero Still (Horizontal): 16:9 aspect ratio. A clean, text-less still from the film. Recommended Minimum: 1920x1080 pixels. Maximum: 3840x2160 pixels.
- Format & File Size: Acceptable formats are JPG, PNG, or WebP. Keep files under 10MB. Our backend engine automatically processes and optimizes your uploaded artwork into fast-loading, next-generation web formats, so you can focus strictly on uploading the highest quality master image within the size limit.
🚀 PRO TIP: Avoiding Audio Sync & Playback Issues
If you are exporting high-complexity archival masters, you might occasionally experience a constant audio sync lag (e.g., video trailing audio by a few frames) or visual glitching at the start of playback. To guarantee perfect frame-accurate web playback, we highly recommend the following export settings:
- •Frame Reordering (Crucial for H.265): If you choose to export in H.265, you must turn off Frame Reordering. While often recommended for better compression, we have found that Frame Reordering in H.265 directly causes audio sync drift in web players. Disabling it ensures perfect sync.
- •The "Silver Bullet" Codec (H.264): If you are still experiencing issues, using H.264 (AVC) - High Profile is the most reliable way to eliminate decoding latency. If stepping down from H.265 to H.264, compensate by using a high bitrate (30–40 Mbps for 4K) to maintain your master quality.
- •Start Timecode (00:00:00:00): Ensure your export timeline starts at a pure zero timecode. If your file contains traditional broadcast timecode metadata (like starting at
01:00:00:00or09:59:50:00), some web players will misread the metadata and offset the audio. - •The Moov Atom (Web Optimized): Ensure your editing software is set to place the "Moov Atom" (the file index) at the start of the file. In Premiere Pro or Resolve, this is often labeled as "Web Optimized" or "Fast Start."
- •Keyframe Interval: Force a clean refresh by setting your Keyframe Distance to exactly 2 seconds (e.g., 48 frames for a 24fps timeline).
The Upload Process
We designed the kinoora upload pipeline to give you complete, self-serve control over your release.
🖥️ Web Uploads Only: Because of the massive file sizes and processing power required for cinematic video files, the upload pipeline is currently only available through our Web App on desktop or laptop computers, not via mobile.
(Good news: Nothing is set in stone. You can edit all of this metadata, replace your artwork, and change your pricing at any time even after your film is live. We will cover this in detail in the Library Management section).
Saving Your Progress (Drafts)
Uploading a project (especially a multi-episode series) takes time. You do not have to finish the upload process in one sitting. On every page of the upload pipeline, you will see a "Save Draft" button at the bottom.
- •The Step 1 Rule: You must fully complete Step 1 (Metadata) before you can save a draft. The system needs this core information to create the file.
- •Limit: Currently, you can only have one active draft saved at a time.
- •Auto-Prompting: If you forget to hit "Save" and try to navigate away from the upload page, the system will automatically pause and ask if you want to save your draft or discard it.
- •Resuming: Whenever you are ready to continue, simply click the main "Upload" button in the site navigation. The system will detect your saved file and ask if you want to resume it or discard it. (Warning: Discarding permanently deletes the draft!).
3. Moderation & Quality Standards
kinoora is built on a simple philosophy: We do not gatekeep based on narrative taste, but we fiercely protect the quality and legality of our ecosystem. Every single upload goes through a purely human review process before being published on the platform. This ensures our viewers always get a premium cinematic experience, and our filmmakers are protected from legal liabilities.
How the Review Process Works
Submission
You submit your finalized film or series to us via the dashboard.
Metadata & Documentation Check
Our human review team meticulously checks all the details you provided. This includes your synopsis, posters, Music Cue Sheet, and your Age Rating (especially if self-declared).
Content Screening & Classification
We watch all of your uploaded video files (trailer, film, and extra footage) to ensure they adhere to our technical requirements, do not infringe on copyrights, and do not contain illegal content. Note: If your age rating was self-declared, we will compare your survey answers to the actual film. kinoora reserves the right to adjust the final age rating to accurately reflect the content.
The Verdict
Depending on our review, we will either Accept your film (at which point it goes live on the platform), Request Changes, or Reject your submission. We almost always request changes (e.g., "Please fix the audio sync at 00:12:00") to help you get your film live, unless the content is blatantly illegal or stolen.
The "Cinema-First" Rule
We exclusively host narrative, cinematic storytelling. Whether it’s an avant-garde short film, a 10-part episodic thriller, or an intimate documentary, if it tells a story, it belongs here. However, we are not a general-purpose video hosting site like YouTube.
What We Do Not Accept
- • Vlogs & Lifestyle Content
- • Software/Skill Tutorials
- • Commercials & Advertisements
- • Travel Videos
- • Product Reviews & Unboxings
- • Event Videography (e.g., Weddings)
Technical Fidelity
We review files to ensure they aren't broken. To see our exact recommendations, please review our Technical Specs. We evaluate fidelity on a case-by-case basis, but generally adhere to these guidelines:
- •Audio is King: Viewers are highly unforgiving of bad audio. We will reject films with heavily desynchronized audio, severe peaking/distortion, or completely inaudible dialogue.
- •Resolution Thresholds: For modern, newly released films, we require a minimum resolution of 720p (though 1080p or 4K is strongly preferred). For older, archival, or specifically stylized productions, we accept resolutions down to 480p.
- •Cinematic Framing: We exclusively accept horizontal, cinematic aspect ratios (e.g., 16:9, 2.39:1, 4:3). We do not accept vertical (9:16) videos.
Copyright & Clearances
Commercial video-on-demand (VOD) has strict legal requirements. We verify clearances to protect both the kinoora ecosystem and you from massive legal liabilities. You must own or have legally licensed 100% of the rights to the content you upload.
Common Clearance Traps We Look For:- •Music: Uncleared Top 40 pop music, cover songs, or copyrighted music playing incidentally in the background (e.g., on a car radio). This is why your Music Cue Sheet must be meticulously filled out.
- •Archival & Third-Party Footage: Using clips from Hollywood films, news broadcasts, sports events, or YouTube videos without a license. This also applies if your characters are simply watching a copyrighted movie on a TV in the background of your scene.
- •Artwork & Trademarks: Prominently featuring copyrighted paintings, sculptures, or recognizable brand logos (especially if the brand is depicted negatively).
- •Appearance & Personality Rights: Featuring identifiable individuals who have not signed talent release forms or background release waivers (particularly relevant for documentaries).
Providing Proof & The "Fair Use" Risk
If our moderation team flags a specific scene or audio cue, we will pause your release and contact you to request proof of clearance. You must be able to provide copies of your Sync Licenses, Master Use Licenses, or Talent Release Forms.
A note on "Fair Use": Claiming "Fair Use" (or "Fair Dealing" in Europe/UK) is exceptionally difficult for commercial, monetized platforms. Unless your film is a direct documentary critique or parody of the specific copyrighted work being shown, we generally cannot accept "Fair Use" as a substitute for a legal licensing agreement.
Restricted & Illegal Content
kinoora strictly prohibits any illegal content. This includes, but is not limited to, actual pornography, real-world graphic violence, non-consensual imagery, and hate speech.
Note on Mature Storytelling: We absolutely allow mature, R-rated/NC-17 narrative storytelling. Simulated violence (action scenes, horror), staged intimate/sexual situations, strong language, and drug use are fully permitted as long as they are strictly narrative and properly flagged in your Age Rating self-declaration.
đź”’ Strict Age Verification (VerifyMy): To legally host adult-rated cinematic content and protect minors across global jurisdictions, kinoora partners with the industry-leading age assurance provider, VerifyMy. Please note: If your film is officially rated or self-declared as 18+ (Adults Only), viewers will be required to pass a secure, privacy-preserving age verification checkpoint before they can rent or stream your title. This can be done through Facial Age Estimation (selfie) or through standard ID checks. Users only need to verify themselves once and can then enjoy all "Adults Only" films or series on the platform.
4. Distribution & Rights
The Zero-Risk Promise
Filmmakers have every right to be dubious of "distribution partners." The industry is notorious for predatory contracts. So let us be completely clear: There is zero risk in uploading to kinoora. You do not sign away your IP. You are not locked into any long-term contract. There are no strings attached, no hidden fees, and you can leave whenever you want. We are your infrastructure, but you are the studio.
100% Ownership & Non-Exclusivity
We do not buy your film, and we do not demand exclusivity. You retain complete ownership of your copyright. By uploading to kinoora, you are simply granting us a non-exclusive streaming license—which just means we have your temporary, legal permission to display the video file to our viewers.
We only host digital VOD streaming. We have zero claim over your Theatrical Rights, Festival Rights, Physical Media (Blu-ray/DVD), Broadcast/TV Rights, Merchandise, or Derivative/Sequel Rights. Because our license is non-exclusive, you are also absolutely free to simultaneously host your film on YouTube, Vimeo, your personal website, or other VOD platforms.
Dynamic Geographic Fencing
Distribution deals are rarely global. If you sold the exclusive rights to your film in France and Germany, but want to self-distribute everywhere else, kinoora makes it easy to comply with those contracts without missing out on the rest of the world.
- •Exclude Specific Regions: During the upload process, you can easily exclude specific countries from your digital distribution to protect your existing regional contracts.
- •Adapt to Contract Changes: Your geo-blocking settings are fully dynamic. If an old distribution contract expires and the regional rights revert back to you, you can instantly jump into your dashboard and toggle that country back "on."
Flexible Monetization
While every film on the platform is automatically included in our premium Subscription catalog (earning you a share of the watch time pool), you have the ultimate say in how you monetize free users. You can choose to make your film available for Rent, setting your own exact price point. To view our pricing tiers and strategies, please review Step 6 of the Upload Process.
The "Take Down" Guarantee
The ultimate proof of your control is the ability to walk away. If you secure a massive exclusive deal elsewhere, or simply decide you no longer want your film on the platform, you can remove it at any time with a single click.
The exact second your film is removed from the platform, our streaming license is instantly revoked and voided. There are no lock-in periods, no 30-day waiting windows, no exit fees, and no hidden "sunset" clauses. Your film is yours.
5. Library Management
Your control over your film does not end the moment you hit "Submit." At kinoora, your library is a living, breathing portfolio. You have the power to update, edit, expand, or remove your content at any time. You dictate exactly how your work is presented to the world.
Updating Your Titles
To update a film or series, navigate to the Movies or Series tab inside your Filmmaker Profile. Locate the title you want to update and click Edit (Pencil Icon). From here, you can change virtually everything you provided during the initial upload process:
Update your synopsis, change genres, or swap out your poster and hero still for fresh artwork.
Adjust your rental pricing for a weekend sale, or update your geo-blocking to reflect new contracts.
Replacing Master Video Files
Did you finish a new color grade, fix an audio glitch, or create a new "Director's Cut"? You can completely replace your main video file or trailer file at any time.
The Analytics Guarantee: Replacing a video file is completely safe. You will not lose a single view, review, or watch-time metric. All of your historical analytics stay perfectly intact.
*Note: Because subtitle files and alternate audio tracks are "hard-attached" to the specific video file in our backend architecture, replacing the master video file means you will also need to re-upload any attached `.srt` files or dubbing tracks to the new file.
Expanding Your World (Upload Extras)
As your audience grows, you can continually add value to your existing films. For example, if you originally uploaded a film on the Basic (Free) Tier, you do not have access to the "Upload Extras" feature. However, if you upgrade to a Premium Subscription later, you can instantly go back to your older films and upload Behind-the-Scenes documentaries, interviews, and deleted scenes to reward your long-time fans.
The Re-Moderation Loop
To maintain the safety and quality of the platform, please note that every edit retriggers the human moderation process. If you swap out a video file or change your artwork, those specific updates must be quickly approved by our team before the new versions go live to the public.
Storage Limits & Data Usage
Different kinoora subscription tiers come with different upload and cloud storage limits. You can monitor your exact vault capacity at any time by checking the "Data Usage" metric in your Profile Settings.
If you ever decide to downgrade your Premium Subscription to a lower tier, you must ensure your current Data Usage fits within the limits of the new tier. If you are over the limit, you will need to delete older files or extra footage to free up space before the downgrade can be processed.
Instant Deletion
Right next to the Edit button is Delete (Trash Icon). If you ever want to remove a title from kinoora completely, simply click this button. With a few clicks, your film, trailer, and all associated files are permanently purged from our active streaming servers and the platform. You are never locked in.
6. Your Filmmaker Profile
If your films are your product, your Filmmaker Profile is your digital storefront. It bridges the gap between your library management and your audience engagement. This is where users come to learn who you are, explore your entire body of work, and connect with you directly.
Your Digital Storefront
Your public profile is designed to showcase your brand and build your following. When a viewer clicks on your name, they will see:
- • Name, Profile Picture, and Location
- • Your Personal Bio
- • Your preferred Genres
- • Viewing Stats: Total profile views, total watch time across your library, number of uploads, and your total follower count.
- • Average Star Rating: Across all your titles.
- • Your Portfolio: A complete overview of all your uploaded movies and series.
- • Recent Trailers: Quick access to your latest promos.
- • News & Announcements: Your personal news feed for project updates (covered in the upcoming Social Features section!).
- • Engagement: Follow and Message buttons.
The Command Center (Settings)
You can edit your profile's public information (Bio, Picture, etc.) at any time. However, the real power lies in your Profile Settings. We give you granular control over your account security, privacy boundaries, and financials.
Manage Account
Handle your core credentials. Change your password, update your email address, configure your Parental PIN, manage your list of blocked users, or completely delete your account.
Privacy Boundaries
Don't want to be overly social? No problem. You can disable the Direct Messenger, turn off comments on your trailers, and disable comments on your News Feed posts. You can also toggle your public location to show just your Country, hiding your specific City.
Subscriptions & Monetization
Under Subscriptions & Payments, you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your kinoora subscription, update your payment method, and view your billing history. The Monetization tab is a highly secure, password-protected area where you set up your monthly creator payouts:
Provide your Account Holder Name (must exactly match your bank statement), and your IBAN + BIC/SWIFT (or Account Number + Sort Code for the UK).
To stay compliant with German and EU laws (PStTG / DAC7 / Anti-Money Laundering), we are legally required to collect your valid residential address (Street, ZIP, City, Country) if you receive revenue shares. This is encrypted and strictly used for banking verification and tax reporting. It will never be visible on your public profile.
Providing a valid VAT number allows us to apply the 'Reverse Charge' mechanism. If not provided, your payouts may be subject to local tax withholdings or treated as B2C transactions.
Data Usage
Quickly check how much cloud storage you have consumed against your current subscription tier limits.
"Switch to User"
Every filmmaker on kinoora automatically has a Viewer Account. Use this toggle to instantly switch your dashboard view to your personal "Living Archive."
- • Watched: A clickable list of every film you've ever viewed.
- • Ratings: A clickable list of your past reviews (which you can update).
- • Following: A list of other filmmakers you support.
- • Watch Time: Your personal lifetime viewing stat.
7. Discovery & Social Features
Uploading your film is only half the journey; finding the right audience is the other. kinoora is built to actively connect your stories with viewers who are genuinely looking for them. We combine a cinematic discovery engine with powerful community tools, allowing you to turn casual viewers into dedicated fans.
The Discovery Feed: Curing Browsing Fatigue
Say goodbye to scrolling for 20 minutes only to watch something you've seen before. Our high-fidelity, 16:9 trailer feed brings the theater experience directly to the viewer's device. It is designed for pure discovery without the noise of endless sequels and remakes.
The Discovery Feed matches stories based on genuine viewer interest, not massive studio marketing budgets. The feed's algorithm actively learns what types of genres, pacing, and stories a viewer enjoys. Alternatively, viewers can highly customize their feed filters. This means your trailer isn't just broadcast into the void—it is actively served to the exact niche audience most likely to rent your film or subscribe to your series.
Interactive Trailers
Your trailer in the Discovery Feed isn't just a video; it's a social hub. Viewers can interact directly with your promo while it plays:
- At-a-Glance Metadata: The feed provides a seamless first look, displaying core details like language, genre, release year, and a snippet of your synopsis right alongside the video.
- Likes & Comments: Viewers can leave immediate feedback, creating top-of-funnel social proof for new users scrolling by.
- Watchlists: With one tap, users can save your film to their personal watchlist for later viewing.
- Direct Profile Access: Viewers can click your name to jump straight to your Filmmaker Profile to explore your other work.
Ratings & Reviews
Viewers can dive deeper by leaving 1-5 star ratings and detailed written reviews on your dedicated title pages. This doesn't just help other users decide what to watch; it gives you invaluable, direct feedback on why your story resonated and what you might do differently next time.
Your overarching Filmmaker Profile displays an average star rating based on a true weighted calculation of every individual rating across your entire library—not just an average of the films themselves. For example, if Film A has ten 5-star ratings and Film B has five 3-star ratings, your profile's average will accurately display as 4.33.
Building a Core Following
When a viewer loves your work, they can hit the Follow button on your profile. This profoundly changes their experience on the platform:
- •The "Following" Feed: Followers will see your new trailers prioritized in their dedicated "Following" section of the Discovery Feed.
- •The "Community" Feed: Any news or updates you post will automatically populate in your followers' overarching Community feed.
News & Announcements
Keep your audience engaged between releases. From your Filmmaker Profile, you can post directly to your personal News Feed. This is one of your most powerful tools for building long-term loyalty.
Using the News Feed makes your viewers feel like true insiders on your filmmaking journey. Use it to keep everyone up to date: share script updates, post never-before-seen set photos, announce a new festival screening, or offer deep dives into your creative process. (Note: Currently, the News Feed supports text and image uploads; video uploads are reserved for your main library). Fans can interact directly with these posts, helping you cultivate a dedicated community.
Direct Messenger & Networking
kinoora features a built-in direct messaging system. This serves two powerful purposes for filmmakers:
- 1. Audience Connection: Fans can message you directly. This allows you to ask them exactly what they loved about your film, providing insights for your next project.
- 2. Industry Networking: You can easily message other creators. Find a cinematographer whose short film you loved? Shoot them a message to collaborate!
*Reminder: If you prefer not to receive direct messages, you can completely disable the Messenger feature via your Profile Settings.
8. Analytics Glossary (Basic Tier)
At kinoora, we believe you should have complete visibility into how your film is performing. We don't hide your audience data behind opaque algorithms. Your dashboard is designed to answer two critical questions: Are people watching my film? and Are they engaged? Every filmmaker on kinoora receives free access to our Basic Analytics suite. This provides aggregated, anonymized insights that can be viewed overall for your entire library or broken down for each individual title.
1. Total Views (Film)
The total number of times your actual film/episode has been played. To prevent accidental clicks from skewing data, a "View" is only registered after someone watches for at least 5 seconds. Can be filtered by the last 7 days, 30 days, or year.
2. Unique Viewers
The volume of distinct, anonymized accounts that have watched your content within your selected time frame. If one superfan watches your short film 10 times, it counts as 10 Total Views, but only 1 Unique Viewer.
3. Re-watch Factor
A dedicated metric showing the ratio of your Total Views to Unique Viewers. A factor of 1.0 means everyone watched it exactly once. A high Re-watch Factor means you have a dedicated core audience returning to your work over and over again.
4. Total Trailer Views
The number of times your cinematic trailer has been viewed in the Discovery Feed. Why it matters: If you have massive Trailer Views but low Film Views, it usually means your trailer is not catchy enough and might need a re-edit to make it more engaging. Or, something on your film page (like the synopsis or the rental price) might be preventing viewers from watching the full film.
5. Total Trailer Comments
The accumulated count of comments left specifically on your trailer. Immediate, top-of-funnel social proof. Engaging with these viewers is one of the fastest ways to convert casual scrollers into paying patrons.
6. Total Watch Time
The cumulative amount of time all users have spent watching your content. On kinoora, this directly impacts your earnings as subscription revenue flows into a shared Watch Time Pool.
7. Average Watch Time
The typical engagement per view relative to your total runtime. If a 20-minute short film has an average watch time of 3 minutes, it's a signal that you might be losing the audience during the opening act.
8. Completion Rate
The percentage of viewers who reached at least the 95% mark of your runtime. A high completion rate is the strongest signal that your story successfully holds audience attention from inciting incident to resolution.
9. Ratings & Reviews
The qualitative heart of your dashboard. Data tells you what is happening; reviews tell you why. This connects you directly to audience sentiment, providing actionable feedback.
10. Financial Overview
A transparent, top-level look at your earnings. This tracks your exact revenue generated from Subscription Watch Time shares, Direct Rentals, and Direct Donations from fans. We believe in radical financial transparency, ensuring you always know exactly which distribution method is driving your success.
- Library or Title-Specific
- Timeframe Filters
Studio TierPremium Analytics
For filmmakers looking to deeply understand their audience and refine their distribution strategy, the kinoora Studio Tier unlocks our advanced analytics suite. While the Basic Tier tells you if people are watching, the Premium Tier tells you exactly who, how, and when they are watching.
1. Audience Deep-Dive
- Demographics & GeographyView a breakdown of your audience by age range and gender. We also provide a global heat map showing viewer density, alongside a ranked list of your Top 5 Countries and Top 5 Cities.
Why it matters: Invaluable for pitching to regional distributors, planning physical screenings, or running highly targeted social media ad campaigns for your next film. - Traffic Sources & DevicesDiscover exactly how viewers are finding your film. Track origin sources (Trailer Discovery Feed, Manual Search, or External Links) alongside hardware breakdowns (Mobile vs. Web) and Browser Types.
Why it matters: Tells you if your personal marketing is working vs. kinoora's internal ecosystem. Device breakdown also tells you if you need to optimize future trailers for mobile viewing. - Language PreferencesTrack which subtitle tracks your viewers are actively turning on.
Why it matters: You might discover an unexpected fanbase in South America watching with Spanish subtitles, allowing you to lean into that market.
2. Performance Analysis
- Audience RetentionA minute-by-minute dynamic graph showing exactly what percentage of your audience is still watching at any given point in your film.
Why it matters: Shows exactly where your pacing might be dragging (steep drop-off) or where your audience is highly engaged (rewinding to re-watch). - Peak Viewing TimesA heat map of the days of the week and times of day your audience is most active.
Why it matters: Takes the guesswork out of your marketing. Use this data to know exactly when to post a News Feed update or drop a new trailer. - Playback Quality & ReportsSee the actual resolutions (e.g., 1080p vs. 4K) your audience is streaming your film in, alongside an overview of any user reports flagged on your content.
3. Benchmarks & Rankings
- Comparison MetricsSee exactly how your film stacks up against platform-wide averages for Total Views, Total Watch Time, Completion Rate, and Star Ratings.
Why it matters: Helps you set realistic expectations and identify if your film is over-performing relative to the broader indie market. - kinoora RankingsSee your exact leaderboard position across the platform (e.g., #2 out of 50 in Sci-Fi Shorts). Rankings are provided for: Most Views, Highest Watch Time, Highest Star Rating, Highest Completion Rate, and Highest Re-watch Factor.
Why it matters: Tangible, verified proof of success. Use these rankings in your press kits or funding pitches.
🚀 PRO TIP: Turning Data Into Action
Don't just stare at the numbers. Here are three ways to use your kinoora dashboard to actively accelerate your filmmaking career:
1. Fund Your Next Film
Use your Geographic Insights and kinoora Rankings to prove market viability to investors. Data beats "trust me" every time.
2. Refine Your Craft
Let the Audience Retention curve dictate your next edit. If viewers drop off at minute 12, study what happened in the script right before that.
3. Build Community
Use Peak Viewing Times to know exactly when to post your behind-the-scenes content on your News Feed for maximum organic engagement.
9. Monetization & Payouts
Uploading your film shouldn't just be about exposure; it should be about building a sustainable career. kinoora offers three distinct, transparent revenue streams to ensure you are compensated fairly for the value you bring to the platform.
The "Net Revenue" Reality Check
Before we dive into the math, we need to be completely transparent about what "Net Revenue" actually means. A common misconception is that if a viewer pays €5.00 for a rental, that entire €5.00 goes straight into the revenue split. Unfortunately, the government and the payment processors take their cut first!
Net Revenue is Gross Revenue MINUS:- •Statutory VAT: Value Added Tax varies across Europe (e.g., 19% in Germany, 20% in the UK and France). This money is not kept by kinoora; it is legally required to be paid directly to the respective tax authorities.
- •Transaction Fees: The hard costs charged by payment processors (like Stripe) or App Stores (Apple/Google).
- •Collecting Societies: The mandatory license fees we pay on your behalf for music rights.
What remains after these mandatory hard costs is the Net Revenue. This is the actual money we split with you.
The Revenue Splits (Your Cut)
For Subscriptions (SVOD) and Rentals (TVOD), your exact percentage share depends directly on your Filmmaker Subscription tier. We believe in rewarding creators who invest in the platform:
You keep 60% of your net revenue.
You keep 70% of your net revenue.
Exclusive launch program members keep 80% (plus a complimentary 13-month Studio subscription).
Your Three Revenue Streams
Every film and series uploaded to kinoora is automatically included in our premium subscription catalog. Instead of paying you per arbitrary "click," we use a fair, Watch-Time-based model that rewards you for keeping viewers engaged with your story.
- Total Platform Watch Time: Let's say kinoora viewers generate a total of 10,000 hours of watch time across the entire platform in a given month.
- Your Watch Time: During that same month, your uploaded films and series generated 1,000 hours of watch time.
- Your Pool Share: Because you generated 10% of the platform's total attention, you are entitled to 10% of the platform's total SVOD Net Revenue Pool for that month.
- Your Split: Finally, your specific Filmmaker Tier percentage (60%, 70%, or 80%) is applied to that 10% slice of the pie.
Want to run some hypothetical numbers? Play around with the interactive slider on our Revenue Calculator!
You have the option to make your work available for direct rent to free users. You set the exact price, and you receive your tier's percentage share of the direct net revenue generated by every individual rental of your specific work.
Crucial Distinction: TVOD rental revenue does not go into the shared SVOD pool. The net revenue from a rental is shared exclusively between you and kinoora.
Your biggest fans can support your career directly by leaving a monetary "tip" on your profile or films. You keep a massive 90% of the net revenue from all direct support donations, regardless of your subscription tier.
Payouts & Logistics
We have built a reliable, automated payout system so you can focus on filmmaking, not chasing invoices.
- The Payment Cycle & Currencies
Earnings are calculated and processed monthly. Payouts are dispatched usually within 14 days of the end of the settlement month. Payments are made in EUR (or GBP for filmmakers in the United Kingdom).
- The €50 Payout Threshold & Guarantee
Your funds are automatically transferred to your bank account as soon as your balance exceeds €50.00. The kinoora Guarantee: If you don't reach the threshold within a 6-month period, we will automatically pay out whatever accumulated balance you have anyway. You will also receive your full pro-rata balance immediately if you ever decide to delete your account.
- Absolute Transparency
You will receive a highly transparent monthly credit note. Your statement won't just show your payout; it will explicitly detail the total amount distributed platform-wide and the total platform watch time, proving our math every single month.
- Taxes
All settlements are made using the credit note procedure. As an independent creator, you are responsible for the proper reporting and taxation of your income in your local jurisdiction.
10. Filmmaker Subscriptions & Tiers
kinoora is designed to scale alongside your career. Whether you are uploading your very first zero-budget short film or distributing a premium 10-episode series, we have a subscription tier built for your exact needs.
Start for Free (The Basic Tier)
We believe there should be no financial barrier to entry for independent cinema. Anyone can create a Filmmaker Profile and start uploading for free.
The Basic Tier gives you access to all standard platform features. You get your public Filmmaker Profile, access to the Discovery Feed, standard analytics, and the ability to monetize your work immediately (keeping 60% of your net revenue). It is the perfect way to test the platform and find your initial audience without spending a dime.
Scaling Up (Premium Subscriptions)
As your library grows, your infrastructure needs to grow with it. Upgrading to a Paid Subscription unlocks the full power of the kinoora ecosystem:
- Higher Revenue SharesBoost your SVOD and TVOD net revenue split from 60% up to 70% (or 80% for Founding Filmmakers).
- Massive Storage CapacityUnlock drastically higher cloud storage limits, allowing you to upload pristine 4K master files and entire episodic seasons.
- Premium FeaturesGain access to exclusive community-building tools, such as the ability to upload bonus "Extra Footage" (Behind-the-Scenes, interviews) to your titles.
- Advanced AnalyticsUnlock deeper insights into viewer retention, geographic heatmaps, and peak watch times.
Total Flexibility
You are never locked into a tier. You can upgrade your subscription for the month of a major release to take advantage of the higher revenue share, and seamlessly downgrade back to a lower tier later (provided your total file sizes fit within the lower tier's data limits).
Tax Deductibility
Because your kinoora subscription is professional distribution infrastructure, the cost of your premium tier is typically fully tax-deductible as a standard business expense for working filmmakers and production companies.
Upgrading, Downgrading & Billing
To keep you in total control, kinoora currently only offers monthly subscriptions. We do not use annual lock-ins. You can change your plan or leave the platform at any time to fit your current release strategy.
When you upgrade to a higher tier, the changes (like increased storage and higher revenue shares) take effect immediately. You will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your billing cycle.
If you choose to downgrade or cancel your premium subscription, the change will not take effect until the end of your current billing cycle. You will retain all your premium benefits (and higher revenue shares) until that month is officially over.
Find Your Perfect Fit
Explore our detailed breakdown of storage limits, upload caps, and feature sets to choose the tier that matches your release strategy.
View Pricing & TiersStill have questions?
Every film is unique. If you have a specific question about your master file, rights, or release strategy, our team is here to help.
Contact Us